Director Shareholding

John David Sports PLC
1 June 2001

                                                                   1 June 2001


             JOHN DAVID SPORTS PLC ('JD SPORTS' OR THE 'COMPANY')

                           DIRECTORS' SHARE PLACING



In response to institutional demand and in order to increase liquidity in the
trading of the Company's shares, JD Sports announces that a total of 6,543,600
shares are being placed by Investec Henderson Crosthwaite for John Wardle,
Executive Chairman, and David Makin, Buying and Merchandising Director. Mr.
Wardle and Mr. Makin founded JD Sports in 1981 and prior to today have not
sold any shares since the Company's flotation in 1996.



John Wardle is selling 3,106,800 ordinary shares of 5p each ('Ordinary Shares
'), representing 6.65 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company, at
a price of 330p per share. John Wardle's Family Trust is also selling 165,000
Ordinary Shares, representing 0.35 per cent. of the issued share capital of
the Company, at a price of  330p per share. Following this sale, John Wardle
will remain interested in 13,048,770 Ordinary Shares, representing 27.92 per
cent. of the issued share capital of the Company, 26.13 per cent. beneficially
and 1.79 per cent. non-beneficially.



David Makin is selling 2,921,800 Ordinary Shares, representing 6.25 per cent.
of the issued share capital of the Company, at a price of 330p per share.
David Makin's Children's Trust is also selling 350,000 Ordinary Shares,
representing 0.75 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company, at a
price of 330p per share. Following this sale, David Makin will remain
interested in 13,048,770 Ordinary Shares, representing 27.92 per cent. of the
issued share capital of the Company.



John Wardle and David Makin have undertaken that, save in certain limited
circumstances, they will not dispose of any further Ordinary Shares for a
period of one year.



                                    -ENDS-



Enquiries:

John Wardle (Chairman) / Barry Bown (Chief Executive), John David Sports Plc
Telephone:    [phone] (Hudson Sandler) on 1 June 2001
              01706 628000 (Thereafter)
David Currie, Investec Henderson Crosthwaite
Telephone:    [phone]
Lesley Allan /Penny Davis, Hudson Sandler
Telephone:    [phone]